In Transit to Wales!

After an early departure from Durham, the tourists travelled around 700 kms south to the border town of Chepstow in south east Wales. On the way we stopped in near Birmingham to watch West Bromwich Albion take on Liverpool FC. The atmosphere was like State of Origin but a lot more dangerous. Liverpool fans only could only sit in a designated area surrounded by 40 police. As tempting as it was, the teachers resisted making the boys wear red shirts in the West Brom section and we even advised Lachlan to leave Wayne on the bus (Wayne was devastated). The passion that exuded from the fans was fanatical and in our case quite literal. Every time the gents behind us shouted obscenities at the opposition they showered us with sputum. Some of the insults were hilarious but cannot be repeated here! After the game (which was won by West Brom Baggies) we left the stadium and boarded the coach. We happened to be parked alongside the Liverpool fan coaches and as a result, received a police escort out to the main motorway. Many kind locals came out to wave us goodbye and wish us all the best with their middle fingers and other lurid gestures.

After nearly being sunburnt at the football match, we arrived in a very chilly Chepstow at around 7:30 and the boys departed with their billets. On Sunday we toured an old coal mine at Blaenarvon. The boys were told how the mines were the backbone of employment in this area but when the closed in the 1980s due to cheap coal imported from Australia, the local communities collapsed into cycles of unemployment, poverty and dependence on welfare. The boys were taken 100 metres under ground to a relatively shallow mine and exposed the hard toil performed by very tough and proud miners in times past. All the guides had worked in the mines before they were shut down and could talk about relatives and friends who had died in accidents or from the diseases brought on by inhaling coal dust. Conditions in the mines were obviously very cramped and all but Daniel Browne had to stoop in the various tunnels. (Daniel needed a booster seat at go karting too!)

The boys were able to attend a Magners League rugby fixture between the local Newport Dragons and Treviso from Italy. Eight internationals played and Newport ran out winners. Many thanks must go to Andy Clark from Chepstow for a cracking day.

The boys have adapted well to a constant rotation in billet families but a change in rooming arrangements with the teachers has turned a little sour. Updates will follow!